U.S. patent application number 14/237194 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-21 for method and device for triggering, using an rfid reader, a procedure for actuating a means for locking/unlocking the access doors of a motor vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH. The applicant listed for this patent is Yves Daviaud, Luc Jansseune, Dominique Rantet. Invention is credited to Yves Daviaud, Luc Jansseune, Dominique Rantet.
Application Number | 20140232523 14/237194 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46603876 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140232523 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rantet; Dominique ; et
al. |
August 21, 2014 |
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TRIGGERING, USING AN RFID READER, A PROCEDURE
FOR ACTUATING A MEANS FOR LOCKING/UNLOCKING THE ACCESS DOORS OF A
MOTOR VEHICLE
Abstract
A method and device for triggering, via an RFID reader (5)
endowed with a transmitting antenna (6), a procedure for actuating
an element for locking/unlocking the access doors (2) of a motor
vehicle (1). A coil (7) is arranged in the vicinity and in the
field of action of the transmitting antenna (6), and: the RFID
reader (5) is commanded so as to control the successive
transmission of electromagnetic pulses of the same power, upon each
pulse, a value representative of the electrical voltage at the
terminals of the coil (7) is measured, and the procedure for
actuating the locking/unlocking element is triggered in the event
of a variation in the measured values greater than a determined
value.
Inventors: |
Rantet; Dominique;
(Beaumont-sur-Leze, FR) ; Jansseune; Luc;
(Venerque, FR) ; Daviaud; Yves; (Tournefeuille,
FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rantet; Dominique
Jansseune; Luc
Daviaud; Yves |
Beaumont-sur-Leze
Venerque
Tournefeuille |
|
FR
FR
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
Hannover
DE
CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE
Toulouse
FR
|
Family ID: |
46603876 |
Appl. No.: |
14/237194 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
July 20, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2012/003083 |
371 Date: |
March 27, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/5.61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 25/24 20130101;
G07C 9/28 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/5.61 |
International
Class: |
G07C 9/00 20060101
G07C009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 5, 2011 |
FR |
1102469 |
Claims
1. A method for triggering, by means of an RFID reader (5) endowed
with a transmitting antenna (6), a procedure for actuating a means
for locking/unlocking the access doors (2) of a motor vehicle (1),
characterized in that it consists in arranging a coil (7) in the
vicinity and in the field of action of the transmitting antenna
(6), and: in commanding the RFID reader (5) so as to control the
successive transmission of electromagnetic pulses of the same
power, in measuring, upon each pulse, a value representative of the
electrical voltage at the terminals of the coil (7), and in
triggering the procedure for actuating the locking/unlocking means
in the event of a variation in the measured values greater than a
determined value.
2. The triggering method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that a moving average of the measured values is computed with a
view to determining variations in the measured values.
3. The triggering method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the evolution of the phase shift between the signal
representative of the current in the transmitting antenna (6) of
the RFID reader (5) and the signal representative of the current in
the coil (7) is analysed, in such a way that, in the event of a
variation in the electrical voltage at the terminals of said coil,
it is possible to make the triggering of the procedure for
actuating the locking/unlocking means conditional on the
concomitant detection of a variation in the value of said phase
shift.
4. The triggering method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that a coil (7) is used, every winding of which consists in a
winding that is homothetic to the windings of the transmitting
antenna (6) of the RFID reader (5).
5. The triggering method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that: the variations in the measured values are analysed so as to
identify a variation representative of the absorption, by a
radiofrequency transponder, of the electromagnetic energy
transmitted by the RFID reader (5), and an actuation procedure is
triggered consisting in controlling the transmission, by the RFID
reader (5), of an electromagnetic signal of a duration and a power
suitable for activating radiofrequency transponders.
6. The triggering method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that: the RFID reader (5) and the coil (7) are arranged in a handle
(3) of an access door (2) of the motor vehicle (1), the variations
in the measured values are analysed so as to identify a variation
representative of the presence of a hand in proximity to the RFID
reader (5), and an actuation procedure is triggered consisting in
controlling the unlocking of the means for locking the access doors
(2) of the motor vehicle (1).
7. The triggering method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that: the RFID reader (5) and the coil (7) are arranged in a handle
(3) of an access door (2) of the motor vehicle (1), the variations
in the measured values are analysed so as to identify a variation
representative of the presence of a hand in proximity to the RFID
reader (5), and an actuation procedure is triggered consisting in
controlling the locking of the means for locking the access doors
(2) of the motor vehicle (1).
8. A device for triggering a procedure for actuating a means for
locking/unlocking access doors (2) of a motor vehicle (1),
comprising an RFID reader (5) endowed with a transmitting antenna
(6), characterized in that it includes: a coil (7) positioned in
the vicinity and in the field of action of the transmitting antenna
(6) of the RFID reader (5), and a central unit (9) connected, on
the one hand, to the coil (7) so as to receive a signal
representative of the electrical voltage between the terminals of
said coil, and on the other hand, to the RFID reader (5), and
programmed, on the one hand, for controlling the successive
transmission, by said RFID reader, of electromagnetic pulses of the
same power, and on the other hand, for measuring, upon each pulse,
a value representative of the electrical voltage between the
terminals of the coil (7), and for triggering the procedure for
actuating the locking/unlocking means in the event of a variation
in the measured values greater than a determined value.
9. The triggering device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in
that it comprises an electrical resistance (11) interposed on the
electrical connection (10) between the coil (7) and the central
unit (9), with a value suitable for producing an electrical
connection exhibiting high impedance.
10. The triggering device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in
that it comprises means for processing the signal representative of
the electrical voltage at the terminals of the coil (7), comprising
a current rectifier (13), filtering means including at least one
capacitance (14), and a switch (15) capable of being switched
between a closed state and an open state after each
measurement.
11. The triggering device as claimed in claim 8, intended to allow
access to a vehicle (1) by identification of radiofrequency
transponders, characterized in that the central unit (9) is
programmed for triggering an actuation procedure consisting in
controlling the transmission, by the RFID reader (5), of an
electromagnetic signal of a duration and a power suitable for
activating radiofrequency transponders.
12. The triggering method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in
that the evolution of the phase shift between the signal
representative of the current in the transmitting antenna (6) of
the RFID reader (5) and the signal representative of the current in
the coil (7) is analysed, in such a way that, in the event of a
variation in the electrical voltage at the terminals of said coil,
it is possible to make the triggering of the procedure for
actuating the locking/unlocking means conditional on the
concomitant detection of a variation in the value of said phase
shift.
13. The triggering method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in
that a coil (7) is used, every winding of which consists in a
winding that is homothetic to the windings of the transmitting
antenna (6) of the RFID reader (5).
14. The triggering method as claimed in claim 3, characterized in
that a coil (7) is used, every winding of which consists in a
winding that is homothetic to the windings of the transmitting
antenna (6) of the RFID reader (5).
15. The triggering method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in
that: the variations in the measured values are analysed so as to
identify a variation representative of the absorption, by a
radiofrequency transponder, of the electromagnetic energy
transmitted by the RFID reader (5), and an actuation procedure is
triggered consisting in controlling the transmission, by the RFID
reader (5), of an electromagnetic signal of a duration and a power
suitable for activating radiofrequency transponders.
16. The triggering method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in
that: the RFID reader (5) and the coil (7) are arranged in a handle
(3) of an access door (2) of the motor vehicle (1), the variations
in the measured values are analysed so as to identify a variation
representative of the presence of a hand in proximity to the RFID
reader (5), and an actuation procedure is triggered consisting in
controlling the unlocking of the means for locking the access doors
(2) of the motor vehicle (1).
17. The triggering method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in
that: the RFID reader (5) and the coil (7) are arranged in a handle
(3) of an access door (2) of the motor vehicle (1), the variations
in the measured values are analysed so as to identify a variation
representative of the presence of a hand in proximity to the RFID
reader (5), and an actuation procedure is triggered consisting in
controlling the locking of the means for locking the access doors
(2) of the motor vehicle (1).
18. The triggering device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in
that it comprises means for processing the signal representative of
the electrical voltage at the terminals of the coil (7), comprising
a current rectifier (13), filtering means including at least one
capacitance (14), and a switch (15) capable of being switched
between a closed state and an open state after each measurement.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a method and device for triggering,
using an RFID reader endowed with a transmitting antenna, a
procedure for actuating a means for locking the access doors of a
motor vehicle.
[0002] The procedures for actuating the means for locking the
access doors of automobile vehicles are systematically preceded by
a prior step of triggering said procedures.
[0003] This is particularly the case when the vehicle is equipped
with a hands-free access device, particularly including: [0004] a
central on-board unit in the vehicle, [0005] transmission/reception
means arranged in the vehicle and comprising, in particular,
transmitting antennas arranged in the handles of the access doors
of said vehicle, [0006] portable remote-control facilities
incorporating transmission/reception means, [0007] and proximity
sensors implanted in the handles of the access doors of said
vehicle.
[0008] In particular, such hands-free access devices are suitable
for implementing, in succession: [0009] an identification procedure
consisting in controlling the periodic transmission, by the
transmitting antennas, of an identification signal recognizable by
the control facilities dedicated to the vehicle, programmed to
transmit, in response, an identification signal in the direction of
an on-board receiver in the vehicle, [0010] an actuation procedure
consisting in controlling, after identification of a control
facility, the unlocking of the means for locking the access doors
of the vehicle, triggered upon the detection, by a proximity
sensor, of the access of a user to a handle of one of the access
doors. The same is the case when the vehicle is equipped with an
access device, particularly comprising: [0011] radiofrequency
transponders, incorporating identification data dedicated to each
vehicle and suitable for being activated by a radiofrequency
signal, [0012] an on-board RFID reader in the vehicle, suitable for
activating the transponders lying in its field of action, and for
receiving identification data coming from these transponders.
[0013] Indeed, such access devices are designed to implement an
actuation procedure triggered, after transmission by the RFID
reader of an electromagnetic signal of a duration and a power
suitable for activating radiofrequency transponders, by the
reception, in return, of identification data dedicated to the
vehicle.
[0014] This prior step of triggering the actuation procedures is
also involved when the vehicle is equipped with a proximity sensor,
implanted in the handle of an access door, intended for controlling
forced locking of the access doors.
[0015] Indeed, the procedure for actuating the locking means is
triggered by the activation of the proximity sensor, upon the
access of a user to the handle in which said sensor is
implanted.
[0016] Whatever the application being considered, the major
drawback of the step of triggering the actuation procedure lies in
the cost incurred by said step.
[0017] Indeed, referring to the applications described above by way
of examples, and first of all in the context of a hands-free access
device and that of forced locking, this triggering step requires
the installation of proximity sensors, the production cost of which
is relatively high.
[0018] The access devices equipped with RFID readers do not exhibit
this drawback related to the cost of the hardware for implementing
the triggering step. On the other hand, this triggering step leads
to a non-negligible power consumption resulting from the obligation
of periodically powering the RFID reader with a current of
intensity suitable for allowing the transmission, by said RFID
reader, of an electromagnetic signal of a duration and a power
capable of activating radiofrequency transponders.
[0019] The present invention aims to alleviate these drawbacks and
its main goal is the provision of a triggering method requiring
implementation means with a low production cost, and low power
consumption.
[0020] With this aim, the invention addresses a method for
triggering, by means of an RFID reader endowed with a transmitting
antenna, a procedure for actuating a means for locking/unlocking
the access doors of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it
consists in arranging a coil in the vicinity and in the field of
action of the transmitting antenna, and: [0021] in commanding the
RFID reader so as to control the successive transmission of
electromagnetic pulses of the same power, [0022] in measuring, upon
each pulse, a value representative of the electrical voltage at the
terminals of the coil, [0023] and in triggering the procedure for
actuating the locking/unlocking means in the event of a variation
in the measured values greater than a determined value.
[0024] It should be noted that, in the present patent application,
"RFID reader" is intended to mean a reader/recorder implementing
the method of radio-identification denoted by the acronym RFID
("Radiofrequency IDentification") i.e. a reader/recorder composed
of a circuit capable of transmitting electromagnetic energy via a
transmitting antenna, and electronics for receiving and decoding
information sent by radiofrequency transponders, also known by the
name of RFID "tags", activated by the electromagnetic energy
transmitted by said reader/recorder.
[0025] According to the invention, the triggering of an actuation
procedure therefore requires a simple RFID reader, furthermore
commanded so as to operate in a low power consumption mode for as
long as the measured values do not undergo significant variations
representative of the detection of a presence in the field of
action of said RFID reader, justifying the triggering of an
actuation procedure.
[0026] Consequently, this triggering method requires implementation
means with a low production cost, and furthermore a very low power
consumption.
[0027] By way of a first advantageous application, this triggering
method can be implemented with a view to triggering an actuation
procedure consisting, first of all, in identifying a radiofrequency
transponder presented facing the RFID reader (conventionally
plasticized RFID card (also denoted by the terms "label", "tag"
etc.), mobile phone etc.), then, after identification, in
controlling the unlocking of the means for locking the access
doors.
[0028] According to the invention, the triggering method then
consists: [0029] in analyzing the variations in the measured values
so as to identify a variation representative of the absorption, by
a radiofrequency transponder, of the electromagnetic energy
transmitted by the RFID reader, [0030] and in triggering an
actuation procedure consisting in controlling the transmission, by
the RFID reader, of an electromagnetic signal of a duration and a
power suitable for activating radiofrequency transponders.
[0031] By way of example, with the aim of illustrating the savings
made in terms of power consumption, the average intensity of the
supply current of an RFID reader commanded in accordance with the
invention is in the order of a few tens of microamperes.
[0032] A current conventional triggering method according to which
the RFID reader is commanded so as to periodically transmit
electromagnetic signals of a duration and a power suitable for
activating radiofrequency transponders, then, after identification
of a transponder, for triggering an actuation procedure consisting
in controlling the unlocking of the means for locking the access
doors, itself leads to a power consumption in the order of a few
milliamperes.
[0033] It should moreover be noted that according to this first
advantageous application, the method according to the invention
that is intended to identify radiofrequency transponders can be
implemented on a vehicle also equipped with a hands-free access
device suitable for identifying portable control facilities
incorporating an LF receiver and an RF transmitter.
[0034] This association of two methods of identification of
different designs implemented in parallel leads to one and the same
vehicle being endowed with identification means of a plurality of
types of "electronic keys".
[0035] By way of a second advantageous application, the triggering
method according to the invention aims to attribute to the RFID
reader a function of a proximity sensor, specifically intended to
replace the proximity sensor of the current hands-free access
systems.
[0036] With this aim, the method according to the invention
consists advantageously: [0037] in arranging the RFID reader and
the coil in a handle of the access door of the motor vehicle,
[0038] in analyzing the variations in the measured values so as to
identify a variation representative of the presence of a hand in
proximity to the RFID reader, [0039] and in triggering an actuation
procedure suitable for controlling the unlocking of the locking
means of the access doors of the motor vehicle.
[0040] By way of a third advantageous application, the triggering
method according to the invention aims to attribute to the RFID
reader a function of proximity sensor intended to control the
"forced" locking of the means for locking the access doors.
[0041] With this aim, the method according to the invention
consists advantageously: [0042] in arranging the RFID reader and
the coil in a handle of an access door of the motor vehicle, [0043]
in analyzing the variations in the measured values so as to
identify a variation representative of the presence of a hand in
proximity to the RFID reader, [0044] and in triggering an actuation
procedure suitable for controlling the locking of the means for
locking the access doors of the motor vehicle.
[0045] According to this application, furthermore, the actuation
procedure consists, at first, in identifying an "electronic key",
then, after identification, in controlling the locking of the
locking means.
[0046] It should moreover be noted that, according to this third
advantageous application, the method according to the invention,
which is intended for the forced locking of the access doors, can
be implemented on a vehicle equipped with a hands-free access
device including a proximity sensor incorporated in the handles,
and suitable for identifying portable control facilities
incorporating an LF receiver and an RF transmitter.
[0047] In this scenario, if the proximity sensor is activated
before the RFID reader, or if these two elements are activated
simultaneously, the procedure for accessing the vehicle is classed
as priority, and the actuation procedure aiming to obtain a forced
locking is eclipsed.
[0048] On the other hand, if, on the contrary, the capacitive
sensor is activated after the triggering of the actuation procedure
aiming to obtain a forced locking, this procedure is classed as
priority.
[0049] Moreover, for the purposes of increasing the reliability of
the triggering method according to the invention, a moving average
of the measured values is advantageously computed with a view to
determining variations in the measured values.
[0050] With a same goal of efficiency, a coil is advantageously
used, each winding of which consists in a winding homothetic to the
windings of the transmitting antenna of the RFID reader.
[0051] According to another advantageous implementation of the
invention, the evolution of the phase shift between the signal
representative of the current in the transmitting antenna of the
RFID reader and the signal representative of the current in the
coil is analysed, in such a way that, in the event of a variation
in the electrical voltage at the terminals of said coil, it is
possible to make the triggering of the procedure for actuating the
locking means conditional on the concomitant detection of a
variation in the value of said phase shift.
[0052] This verification has the goal of making the method
according to the invention insensitive to possible magnetic
disturbance produced by external electromagnetic sources.
[0053] The invention extends to a device for triggering a procedure
for actuating a means for locking the access doors of a motor
vehicle, comprising an RFID reader endowed with a transmitting
antenna. According to the invention, this device furthermore
includes: [0054] a coil positioned in the vicinity and in the field
of action of the transmitting antenna of the RFID reader, [0055]
and a central unit connected, on the one hand, to the coil so as to
receive a signal representative of the electrical voltage between
the terminals of said coil, and on the other hand, to the RFID
reader, and programmed, on the one hand, for controlling the
successive transmission, by said RFID reader, of electromagnetic
pulses of the same power, and on the other hand, for measuring,
upon each pulse, a value representative of the electrical voltage
between the terminals of the coil, and for triggering the procedure
for actuating the locking means in the event of a variation in the
measured values greater than a determined value.
[0056] Moreover, an electrical resistance with a value suitable for
producing an electrical connection exhibiting high impedance is
advantageously interposed on the electrical connection between the
coil and the central unit, with a view to creating a circuit of
very high impedance not likely to absorb the electromagnetic energy
transmitted by the RFID reader.
[0057] This triggering device furthermore comprises,
advantageously, means for processing the signal representative of
the electrical voltage at the terminals of the coil, comprising a
current rectifier, filtering means including at least one
capacitance, and a switch capable of being switched between a
closed state and an open state after each measurement.
[0058] One such triggering device can notably be advantageously
intended to allow access to a vehicle by identification of
radiofrequency transponders, through the programming of the central
unit suitable for triggering an actuation procedure consisting in
controlling the transmission, by the RFID reader, of an
electromagnetic signal of a duration and a power suitable for
activating radiofrequency transponders.
[0059] Other characteristics goals and advantages of the invention
will appear from the following detailed description with reference
to the appended drawings, which show by way of nonlimiting example
a preferred embodiment. In these drawings:
[0060] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a motor vehicle equipped with
a triggering device according to the invention shown in the form of
a block diagram,
[0061] FIG. 2 is an electronic block diagram of this triggering
device,
[0062] and FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a transmitting antenna and
a coil according to the invention.
[0063] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 1 endowed with doors 2 fitted with
handles 3 and equipped with a triggering device 4 controlled by an
on-board central unit 9, and particularly intended to trigger a
procedure for actuating the means for locking the doors suitable
for identifying radiofrequency transponders, such as RFID cards,
dedicated to the vehicle 1, and for controlling the unlocking after
identification.
[0064] With this aim (see FIG. 2), this triggering device
comprises, first of all, an RFID reader 5 endowed with a
transmitting antenna 6.
[0065] According to the invention, this triggering device
furthermore includes a coil 7 formed of one or two windings (in the
example shown in the figures, a single winding) connected to an
analog/digital input 8 of the central unit 9, by an electrical
connection 10.
[0066] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, each winding (in the
example the winding) of the coil 7 is intertwined with the windings
of the transmitting antenna 6.
[0067] This triggering device moreover includes an electrical
resistance 11 interposed on the electrical connection 10, and with
a value suitable for forming a circuit of very high impedance not
likely to absorb the electromagnetic energy transmitted by the RFID
reader 5.
[0068] This triggering device furthermore includes means 12 for
processing the signal representative of the electrical voltage at
the terminals of the coil 7, comprising a diode 13 and filtering
means including a capacitance 14.
[0069] Moreover, the central unit is programmed to present a switch
function schematized at 15, capable of being switched between a
closed state and an open state of discharge of the capacitance
14.
[0070] According to the invention, the central unit 9 is therefore
connected, on the one hand, to the coil 7 so as to receive a signal
representative of the electrical voltage at the terminals of said
coil, and on the other hand, to the RFID reader 5, and this central
unit 9 is programmed: [0071] for controlling the successive
transmission, by said RFID reader, of electromagnetic pulses of the
same power, [0072] and for measuring, upon each pulse, a value
representative of the electrical voltage at the terminals of the
coil 7, and for triggering a procedure for actuating the locking
means (not shown) in the event of a variation representative of the
absorption, by a radiofrequency transponder (RFID card, mobile
phone etc.), of the electromagnetic energy transmitted by the RFID
reader 5.
[0073] Additionally, the actuating procedure consists in
controlling the transmission, by the RFID reader 5, of an
electromagnetic signal of a duration and a power suitable for
activating radiofrequency transponders, then after identification,
in controlling the unlocking of the means for locking the access
doors 2.
[0074] In its mode of detection of the presence of a radiofrequency
transponder in the vicinity of the RFID reader 5, the latter is
therefore powered solely with a view to periodically transmitting
electromagnetic pulses of the same power, and therefore operates in
a mode of low power consumption.
[0075] The switching to an operating mode intended for the
transmission, by the RFID reader 5, of an electromagnetic signal of
a duration and a power suitable for activating radiofrequency
transponders, is only involved after: [0076] detection of a
significant variation in the values representative of the
electrical voltage at the terminals of the coil 7, measured after
each pulse, the relevance of said variation being appraised on the
basis of the computation of a moving average of the measured
values, [0077] confirmation that the variation originates from the
absorption, by an object such as a transponder presented in front
of the reader RFID 5, of the energy transmitted by the latter, and
not magnetic disturbances produced by external electromagnetic
sources. This confirmation consists in analyzing the evolution of
the phase shift between the signal representative of the current in
the transmitting antenna 6 of the RFID reader 5 and the signal
representative of the current in the coil 7, with a view to
verifying that the variation in the electrical voltage at the
terminals of the coil 7, is accompanied by a concomitant variation
in the phase shift value.
[0078] Such a triggering method therefore makes it possible to
appreciably reduce the power consumption of an RFID reader 5 used
with a view to identifying radiofrequency transponders intended to
allow access to a motor vehicle.
[0079] This goal is also achieved in the use of a triggering device
according to the invention using RFID readers incorporated into the
handles 3 of the doors 2 of motor vehicles 1, notably with a view
to acting as a proximity sensor suitable for triggering a forced
locking procedure, or a procedure for unlocking the means for
locking said doors.
* * * * *